Sale of Chinese string rampant in Bathinda
Ahead of Basant Panchmi, the sale of banned Chinese string is rampant in the city, though in a clandestine manner. The state government has banned Chinese string as it is made of nylon and other synthetic threads.
The police have tightened the noose around the shopkeepers selling Chinese string. As per information, seven FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the BNS and Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act 1986. Nine accused have been arrested and 401 rolls of string seized in the city so far.
NGO Naujawan Welfare Society president Sonu Maheshwari said, “The sale of Chinese string is rampant in the city. Children as well as adults prefer the banned string for its strength. However, this string poses a serious threat to residents as well as birds.” Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal said, “We are acting tough against traders and conducting raids to check the sale of plastic and Chinese string.”
Traditionally, special strings are used for kite flying. These are made of thin cotton thread, which is treated with a paste made of glue and finely powdered glass to make it strong. Chinese string, on the other hand, is made of nylon, with a metal coating giving it extra sharpness.
Rakesh Narula, president of the Bathinda Vikas Manch, said the sale of Chinese string was banned every year, but it remained available in the market. The administration had failed in implementing the ban on the sale of Chinese string.
